Magnetic mineral nanocomposites: Synthesis, hysicochemical properties, and potential biomedical relevance

Designing magnetically responsive mineral frameworks represents a promising route toward multifunctional materials for biomedical applications. In this study, three inorganic hosts—zeolite, hydroxyapatite, and silicate—were engineered to incorporate Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles via a thermal-assisted synthesis route, aiming to achieve stable and tunable magnetic mineral nanocomposites. Structural (XRD) and spectroscopic (FTIR) analyses confirmed successful integration of Fe 3 O 4 within each mineral lattice, while morphological (SEM) and magnetic (VSM) characterizations revealed homogeneous particle dispersion, superparamagnetic behavior, and crystallographic compatibility among phases. The composites exhibited particle sizes of 15–30 nm, moderate saturation magnetization (12–18 emu g −1 ), and high surface areas that balance magnetic responsiveness with physicochemical stability. Initial assessments of surface chemistry and dispersion suggested suitable drug adsorption capability and colloidal robustness. Collectively, these findings highlight the significance of the synthesized mineral-based magnetic nanocomposites as versatile and structurally coherent platforms for targeted drug delivery and bone tissue repair, with zeolite and hydroxyapatite demonstrating the most consistent magneto-chemical integration. One-step synthesis of Fe₃O₄-based mineral nanocomposites exhibiting physicochemical properties relevant to biomedical applications.